Mexican exports to the US up 9% to new record high in first half of the year

Mexico exported US$ 169.3 billion in products to the United States from January to June 2018, which reflected an increase of 9.1% and a record for an equal period, reported the US Department of Commerce. China's exports to the same market climbed 8.6% in the first half of the year, while those of Canada increased 6.5%.

Mexico and Canada renegotiate with their common neighbor the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) since August 2017, while China faces a trade war with the United States.

Since 2016, Mexico has maintained a 13% share of total U.S. imports during the first semester.

Among the main Mexican products exported to the United States are automotive (assembled vehicles and auto parts), electrical and electronic machinery and equipment, agricultural products, mineral fuels, optical equipment and medical devices.

During the same period, Mexico imported US$ 131.3 billion from the United States, an increase of 10.26% at an annual rate and a record figure as well. Based on this data, Mexico registered a trade surplus of US $38 billion with the United States in the first half of the year, surpassed only by that of China which was US$ 185.7 billion.

Other countries with a trade surplus were Japan with US$ 34.6 billion, Germany with US$ 32.9 billion and Canada with US$ 8 billion.